mam, my daughter is 3 and half yours old and in class pre nursery she is the only child she is well developed and very energetic she likes to go to the school,but the only problem we are facing is she is very stubborn do not listen to her class teachers and often pick up fight with her classmates its a very worrying matter there is always complain from the school

Ans: Let’s carefully understand your financial position and work step-by-step to improve it. The current situation seems tight, but with the right planning, things can be managed well.

? Current Financial Snapshot

– Home purchased for Rs 25 lakh with your entire savings and mutual funds.
– No home loan, which is a good point. Property is fully owned.
– In-hand monthly salary is Rs 60,000.
– Existing debts include:

Rs 2 lakh personal loan

Rs 2.25 lakh gold loan

Rs 4.5 lakh borrowed from relatives
– You mentioned that you are struggling to save or track money.

This is a very common challenge in the early years of home ownership. Let’s take one step at a time.

? Cash Flow Stress Analysis

– Your monthly income is not matching with outflow due to EMI and regular expenses.
– Personal loan and gold loan EMIs may be high due to short repayment terms.
– You also have a moral obligation to return the amount to your relatives in 1 year.
– Your current cash outflows may be above 70% of your income.

This gap creates financial stress. We need to balance it.

? Immediate Focus: Create a Monthly Budget

– Write down every expense, even the smallest one.
– Break expenses into 3 parts: Must-Have, Flexible, and Avoidable.
– Must-Have: Rent (if any), groceries, child school fees, transport.
– Flexible: DTH, OTT, eating outside, non-essential shopping.
– Avoidable: Unused subscriptions, unplanned EMI purchases, gadgets.
– First target is to reduce the flexible and avoidable categories.

You must review this every 15 days. It will give clear spending awareness.

? Debt Prioritisation Strategy

– Start with the costliest loan: usually personal loans and gold loans.
– Try to close the personal loan first. Interest is normally very high.
– Next focus on gold loan, since delay may lead to loss of gold asset.
– Relative loan is at zero or low interest, repay slowly.
– Talk to relatives honestly and request 6 more months for comfort.

It’s okay to request this. Most families do understand.

? Use a Debt Avalanche Method (Without Calculation)

– Pay minimum EMI on all loans.
– Use any surplus to close highest-interest loan first.
– Then move to next high-interest loan.
– Do not try to repay all equally. That will not reduce total interest much.

Focused repayment brings mental peace.

? Emergency Fund Creation

– Right now, you don’t have any savings left.
– Without an emergency fund, any small expense will push you to borrow again.
– Start building a fund of at least Rs 30,000 to Rs 50,000 in a savings account.
– Set small goals like saving Rs 2,000 a month.
– Emergency fund is not for investments. It is for protection.

This step avoids future personal loan traps.

? Investments Can Wait – But Not Planning

– Do not start any SIP or investment now. Focus only on debt clearing and emergency fund.
– But track your expenses and income as if you are planning for a SIP.
– This mental discipline will help when you are actually ready to invest.
– Planning must begin today, investing can wait 6–9 months.

Clarity in numbers always comes before wealth creation.

? Role of Mutual Funds Later

– Once debts are cleared and emergency fund is ready, only then start investing.
– Go for actively managed mutual funds through Certified Financial Planner and MFD.
– Regular plans allow you to get guided review and handholding.
– Avoid direct plans unless you are trained in market analysis.
– Regular plans offer rebalancing, portfolio review and behavioural support.

Guided approach helps in emotional control during market changes.

? Why Not Index Funds

– Index funds may seem cheaper, but carry hidden risks.
– They cannot protect you during market crash.
– They blindly follow the index without risk filters.
– No scope for active management or downside protection.
– Actively managed funds give better returns in uncertain markets.

Safety with growth is key for salaried individuals like you.

? Income Expansion Attempts

– If possible, take small freelance work in weekends or evenings.
– Tutoring, online assistance, delivery work, or any skill-based work helps.
– Even Rs 3,000 extra income can fast-track loan closure.
– Don’t ignore small side income. Every rupee counts in debt management.

This step adds strength to your plan.

? Lifestyle Adjustments – Temporarily

– Pause all unnecessary spending like dining out, movies, and clothing for now.
– Stick to basic lifestyle until all high-interest debts are cleared.
– Use old phone, avoid gadgets, reuse clothes and accessories.
– Don’t feel bad. This phase is temporary and purposeful.

Short-term sacrifice brings long-term peace.

? Avoid These Mistakes

– Do not take another loan to repay existing loans.
– Don’t swipe credit cards for regular expenses.
– Avoid BNPL or EMI traps on online shopping.
– Don’t invest in gold or crypto now.
– Avoid insurance policies that combine investment and life cover.

Focus only on liquidity and debt reduction now.

? Family Support and Communication

– Speak with your spouse or parents honestly about current situation.
– Assign small responsibility to each family member.
– Even saving Rs 200 in electricity or food matters.
– Emotional support from family boosts financial discipline.

Unity brings faster solutions.

? Future Planning – Once Stable

– After debt closure, build 3 months' salary as emergency corpus.
– Then, set financial goals like retirement, children education, and vacations.
– Start SIP in 2-3 mutual funds under regular plan with guidance.
– Choose goals-based investing, not trend-based investing.
– Review goals every 6 months with a Certified Financial Planner.

Future planning needs structure, not trial and error.

? Insurance Check

– Ensure you have term life cover equal to at least 10x of your annual income.
– If you have ULIPs or traditional endowment plans, review them with a CFP.
– Surrender if needed and shift to mutual funds for long-term wealth.
– For health, minimum Rs 5 lakh cover is needed for family.

Insurance is protection, not investment.

? Mental Framing for Money Success

– Stop comparing lifestyle with others.
– Avoid social media-based spending urges.
– Be content and frugal for next 1–2 years.
– Celebrate small financial wins – like repaying one EMI early.
– Keep reminding yourself – this is a phase, not forever.

Discipline is more powerful than any investment plan.

? Finally

– You have already done one good thing – bought a house without a home loan.
– This is your foundation. Now your job is to build peace and liquidity.
– Cut expenses, increase income, repay loans smartly.
– Say no to lifestyle pressure and wrong investment traps.
– Once you are stable, mutual fund investment under regular plan will guide your growth.

Keep moving step by step. You are already on the path.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

Ans: Sharma, Both BITS Goa and BITS Hyderabad offer excellent Computer Science and Engineering programs with identical curriculum, faculty standards, and degree credentials under BITS Pilani. BITS Goa (established 2004) provides a picturesque 188-acre campus with pleasant weather, strong cultural festivities including the renowned Waves festival, and slightly higher placement consistency with First Degree placements at 91.15% in 2023. The campus features modern computing labs, proximity to beaches, and a vibrant social atmosphere. BITS Hyderabad (established 2008) offers a sprawling 200-acre campus with state-of-the-art infrastructure, modern laboratories, and excellent connectivity to Hyderabad's IT ecosystem. The campus recorded First Degree placements at 87.23% in 2023 with strong industry partnerships. Both campuses maintain similar median packages around ?17-18 LPA and attract identical top recruiters including Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and other leading firms. The Practice School program and academic rigor remain consistent across both locations, ensuring comparable educational quality and career outcomes.

Recommendation: Choose BITS Goa if you prioritize pleasant weather, cultural vibrancy, scenic beauty, and slightly better placement consistency; opt for BITS Hyderabad if you prefer state-of-the-art modern infrastructure, proximity to India's IT hub, and enhanced industry exposure opportunities within a rapidly growing tech ecosystem. All the BEST for Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: Subhra, PCB students are eligible for the IISER Aptitude Test (IAT) without having studied Mathematics in Class XII, provided they have at least three subjects among Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Mathematics and meet the minimum board percentage (60% general, 55% reserved). The IAT comprises 60 questions—15 from each subject—with a maximum of 240 marks and negative marking (–1 for incorrect). PCB candidates can secure seats in IISER Pune with a score of ≥160, IISER Kolkata with ≥130, IISER Bhopal ≥140, IISER Mohali ≥125, IISER Tirupati ≥116, IISER Thiruvananthapuram ≥121 and IISER Berhampur ≥110 in the general category, enabling admission to the five-year BS-MS dual-degree programmes and related BS courses.

Recommendation: Prepare strategically by focusing on Biology and Chemistry strengths while reviewing core Mathematics concepts to maximize your IAT score. Aim for ≥160 to target IISER Pune, with slightly lower targets (116–140) for other IISERs, and prioritize institute fit and research opportunities when finalizing your choice. All the BEST for Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: GL Bajaj Institute of Technology & Management’s B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering is A+ NAAC accredited, established labs in CAD/CAM, robotics and thermal systems, PhD-qualified faculty, and records an average package of ?7.35 LPA in 2024 with over 600 recruiters. Medicaps University’s CSE offers AICTE approval, modern software and networking labs, industry partnerships (TCS, Cisco, Deloitte), and achieved an average package of ?6.50 LPA with 1,150+ placements in 2023, reflecting broad hiring across branches. VIT Bhopal’s CSE is part of a NAAC A++ institution with specialized AI/ML and cloud-computing labs, guided by experienced faculty, and recorded an average package of ?11 LPA and ~90% placement consistency over the past three years, supported by 632 recruiters in 2025.

Recommendation: VIT Bhopal CSE stands out for its superior placement consistency, highest average packages and strong computing infrastructure; consider Medicaps CSE next for balanced industry ties and respectable hiring; choose GL Bajaj Mechanical only if you are committed to core engineering and its focused labs and mechanical-industry connections. All the BEST for Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: IIITDM Kancheepuram’s five-year integrated B.Tech + M.Tech in CSE (Data Science & AI) is offered by an Institute of National Importance with NAAC A++ accreditation, a rigorous design-manufacturing-oriented curriculum, PhD-qualified faculty, interdisciplinary labs (AI, data-science, cloud computing) and a median package of ?11 LPA for dual-degree graduates. SASTRA University’s four-year B.Tech in CSE is NBA-accredited with an industry-aligned syllabus, experienced faculty, dedicated computing and research facilities, strong alumni networks and an ~85% placement consistency over the last three years with a median package of ?7.6 LPA.

Recommendation: For a deeper research and AI-focused trajectory with assured postgraduate credentials, choose IIITDM Kancheepuram’s integrated M.Tech; if you prefer a traditional four-year engineering degree with lower cost, broad campus ecosystem and reliable CSE placements, opt for SASTRA University CSE. All the BEST for Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: The ICT–IOCL Odisha Campus offers a unique five-year integrated M.Tech in Chemical Engineering with minors in six disciplines, blending nine trimesters of on-campus coursework with six trimesters of paid industrial internships, led by PhD-qualified faculty in state-of-the-art labs and backed by NAAC A++ accreditation and merit-cum-means scholarships. In contrast, National Institute of Technology Manipur’s four-year B.Tech in Civil Engineering admits 38 students per year, is NIRF-ranked 101–150, features foundational structural, geotechnical, and environmental labs under government funding, and achieved a median UG package of ?8.75 LPA with 147 of 161 graduates placed in 2024. NIT Mizoram’s B.Tech Civil cohort (34 seats) recorded a 100% placement rate in 2024 with a median package of ?6 LPA and recruiters such as Adobe and Tech Mahindra, all within its Institute of National Importance framework and burgeoning permanent campus near Aizawl Airport.

Recommendation: If your goal is industry-immersive chemical engineering training with guaranteed stipends and entrepreneurial focus, choose ICT–IOC Bhubaneswar; for a core civil engineering pathway with strong government support, higher civil-branch placements and national-level credentials, opt for NIT Mizoram, with NIT Manipur as a solid fallback. All the BEST for Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: The B.Tech in Artificial Intelligence & Data Engineering at IIIT Kota was established in the 2024–25 academic session with an annual intake of 60 students, offering a curriculum that blends foundational AI, data science, and hands-on project work under PhD-qualified faculty. As a newly launched branch, the first cohort has not yet graduated, so there are no branch-specific placement records for 2024 or 2025. However, IIIT Kota’s established CSE and ECE branches have reported strong placement statistics in 2024, with an overall placement rate of 74% and average packages above ?12 LPA, indicating a positive recruitment environment for computing disciplines. The AI & DS program is designed to meet current industry demand for data scientists, AI engineers, and analytics professionals, leveraging the institute’s growing partnerships with leading tech firms and its status as an Institute of National Importance. Participation in CSAB rounds may be considered if you are targeting higher-ranked NITs, IIITs, or core CSE branches, but for most candidates, the current AI & DS seat at IIIT Kota offers a robust platform for future opportunities in AI, machine learning, and data analytics.

Recommendation: Retain the AI & Data Science seat at IIIT Kota for its modern curriculum, strong institutional reputation, and emerging placement ecosystem; participate in CSAB only if you have a realistic chance at a core CSE seat in a higher-ranked NIT or IIIT, otherwise focus on maximizing opportunities in the current program through internships and research projects. All the BEST for Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: Anupam Sir, The integrated five-year BS-MS in Mathematics & Data Science at HBTU Kanpur equips students with a strong foundation in statistical modeling, machine learning, computational mathematics, and big-data analytics, supplemented by hands-on labs and semester internships in collaboration with industry partners. Graduates secure roles as data scientists, machine learning engineers, data analysts, business-intelligence specialists and research scholars across technology, finance, healthcare, e-commerce and government sectors. For a versatile, research-oriented pathway with robust industry exposure and high placement assistance, pursue the BS-MS in Mathematics & Data Science at HBTU Kanpur; to further enhance prospects, engage early in internships, interdisciplinary projects and professional certifications in AI and big data technologies. All the BEST for Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: Dear Anonymous,
Outrightly calling someone fat and rejecting based on their appearance isn't fair, but after all, you are allowed to have a preference and choose accordingly. Also, I'd say that if you think she is arrogant and making up fake stories, that's something more important that you might want to look into and rethink the relationship.

Hope this helps.